Netanyahu tells U.S. not to force another Gaza truce

WASHINGTON - Following the quick collapse of the cease-fire in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the White House not to force a truce with Palestinian militants on Israel.

WASHINGTON — Following the quick collapse of the cease-fire in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the White House not to force a truce with Palestinian militants on Israel.

Sources familiar with conversations between Netanyahu and senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry, say the Israeli leader advised the Obama administration “not to ever second-guess me again” on the matter.

The officials also said Netanyahu said he should be “trusted” on the issue and about the unwillingness of Hamas to enter into and follow through on cease-fire talks.

The strong reaction came as top Israeli officials questioned the effort to forge the truce, accusing the United States and the United Nations of being naive in assuming the radical Hamas movement would adhere with its terms. The officials also blamed the Gulf state of Qatar for not forcing the militants to comply.

An Israeli official said the Netanyahu government viewed both Hamas and Qatar as having violated the commitment given to the United States and the United Nations and that it expected the international community to take practical steps as part of a “strong and swift response.”

In a phone call with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, Netanyahu vented his anger, according to people familiar with the call.

Netanyahu told Shapiro the Obama administration was “not to ever second-guess me again” and that Washington should trust his judgment on how to deal with Hamas, according to the people.

Netanyahu added that he now “expected” the United States and other countries to fully support Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to those familiar with the exchange.